Basketball in Vancouver has been on a path from heartbreak to resurgence. When the Vancouver Grizzlies fled town in 2001, fans were left with nothing. But in the past decade, the sport has returned with a vengeance, due in large part to a new wave of players, fans, and makers who’ve crafted a basketball culture that’s distinctly Vancouver.
2020 – The Athletic
It starts at the grassroots level. Local courts like Trout Lake, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Surrey’s Bear Creek are packed all summer. Streetball leagues like The Crown League and Vancouver Streetball Classic showcase elite local talent and bring hoopers together from across the Lower Mainland. Social media has helped take the games to the next level with highlight reels, mixtapes, and local YouTube channels covering the scene. On the professional side of things, the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have been the biggest success story. Since relocating to Langley, the Bandits have turned home games into a party live music, community engagement, and fast-paced basketball. Local players like Nick Ward and Alex Campbell have made the team an actual draw, showing Vancouver basketball has audience and identity.
2024 – Vancouver Bandits
Meanwhile, UBC Thunderbirds and SFU Red Leafs continue to churn out elite university players, sending players across Canada and even to the pros. The introduction of youth programs like Drive Basketball and AthElite has created a full pathway for BC players to reach basketball careers without needing to move out of province. But what’s really defining Vancouver’s basketball culture is the atmosphere of creativity and self-expression that’s surrounding it. Sneaker culture, local clothing brands, and influencer-run events like open gyms and charity runs have turned basketball into a lifestyle, more than a sport. And then there’s the perpetual question is there ever a chance that the NBA might return? With Vancouver’s population growth, booming tech scene, and love of basketball, fans continue to hold out hope. When the Raptors come to Rogers Arena, the building is sold out and the “We the West” chants echo throughout the stands.
Vancouver basketball is not trying to relive the Grizzlies era it’s building something new. A community, culture, and creativity led scene. And if the city’s recent trajectory is any sign, Vancouver may well be one of Canada’s basketball capitals once again.